Thalictrum in comparison

Thalictrum aquilegifolium ‘Thundercloud’

• Thalictrum aquilegifolium ‘Thundercloud’. Sturdy thalictrum with delicate double pinnate blue-green foliage and dusky pink-purple fluffy flowers crowded into a flattened pom-pom and carried on dark stained stems. The darkest form of this species. Altogether a plant that tends towards the twilight. 130cm. Best in moist shade

Thalictrum aquilegifolium ‘Thundercloud’

Thalictrum flavum ‘Illuminator’

• Thalictrum flavum ‘Illuminator’ is a handsome background plant to 5′ (1.5m). The foliage is divided into broad leaflets and emerges in spring lemon yellow with a brief red flush. The Foliage then spends the spring golden yellow, gradually fading  to blue-green by summer by which time the tall flowering stems are topped with their fluffy lemon yellow flowers. Brilliant to lighten a dark corner. Best with moisture in the soil.

Thalictrum flavum ‘Illuminator’

Thalictrum ‘Anne’

• Thalictrum ‘Anne’ is a seedling from the supposedly sterile thalictrum ‘Elin’ and is said to be an improvement on it. Like ‘Elin’ it makes an imposing specimen plant reaching between 200 and 300cm in height, often without the need for staking. The foliage emerges well coloured, turning a good blue as the season progresses but retaining dark purple stems. Flower heads are well sized with pink buds opening to fluffy cream. Prefers a somewhat shaded position and a soil that doesn’t dry out.

Thalictrum ‘Elin’

• Thalictrum ‘Elin’. A fine cross between T.rochebrunianum and T.flavum glaucum which makes the most striking of all the tall Thalictrums. A sterile hybrid, it produces stiff tall 3.6m dark stems which carry steely blue foliage below and a branched cloud of yellow and lavender flowers above. Despite its size, it rarely needs staking.

Thalictrum ‘Elin’

Thalictrum delavayi

• Thalictrum delavayi (dipterocarpum) is a delicate and charming addition to any planting scheme, all air and grace on tall waving stems. The foliage is deeply divided like a maidenhair fern, coming from a narrow clump and then climbing up the tall stiff stems. The flowers are an airy pink cloud of ting hanging buttercups with contrasting hanging yellow stamens. 120cm. Cool position

 

Thalictrum delaveyi (Thalictrum dipterocarpum)

Thalictrum delavayi ‘Album’

• Thalictrum delavayi ‘Album’. This is the stunning white form of Thalictrum delaveyi. The foliage is fine and of a greener shade than the species, but the stature is the same at 1.5 to 2m tall. The flowers are held in a loose panicle, creating a delicate snowy haze that wafts above other late summer perennials.

Thalictrum ‘Splendide White’

Thalictrum delavayi ‘Hewitt’s Double’

• Thalictrum delavayi ‘Hewitt’s Double’. (Thalictrum dipterocarpum ‘Hewitt’s Double’)  With dainty foliage, cut like a blue-green maidenhair fern and sprays of gypsophila-like double mauve pom-poms on tal swaying stems. A delicate and charming addition to any planting scheme. July & Aug 120cm. Sun/part shade. Not quite as tall as Thalictrum delaveyi

Thalictrum delaveyi ‘Hewitt’s Double’

Thalictrum rochebrunianum

• Thalictrum rochebrunianum. This is a charming plant that possesses a refined beauty. The foliage is divided in the manner of a maidenhair fern and displays varying tints from sea green to reddy brown, often glowing lime green if the light shines through it. flowering stems ascend up to 2m and waft with a cloud of small pendulous pink flowers, each with conspicuous hanging yellow stamens. 1-2m. Cool moist position. can be slow to really establish, especially if not in a cool spot.

Thalictrum rochebrunianum

Thalictrum – Meadow Rue

The genus Thalictrum contains species form across the Northern Temperate zone varying in height from species like Thalictrum kiusianum suitable for the rock garden to Thalictrum delaveyi which will, in ideal situations, top 7 or 8 feet high.

Often the colour of the flowers is provided by the stamens rather than the petals with the flower head presenting a fluffy mass, exemplified in Thalictrum aquilegifolium. The reason for the diminishing of the petals is that the flowers are wind pollinated rather than insect pollinated. Some of the taller species, such as Thalictrum rochebrunianum and Thalictrum delaveyi still have petals of visual significance with the flower presenting both pink petals and showy yellow anthers.

The thalicrums are a hardy race and mostly of easy cultivation. Their main need is for moisture. They will all grow well in light shade, though the taller species do better if planted in some sun, providing they are in a soil that doesn’t dry out. Species such as Thalictrum rochebrunianum can be slow to establish in drier sites. Annual mulching with compost or well-rotted manure can be very beneficial as well as not cultivating close to the roots.

Thalictrum is the Greek name for this plant

Meadow Rue